Predators patrolling your garden is usually a sign of a healthy garden. There were a lot of grasshoppers in my flower beds this year but then they were suddenly disappearing. I was glad, but I wasn't sure why until I watered. When I watered at least four praying mantises, within six square feet of each other, crawled up to the top of the foliage. I have also spotted additional praying mantises in my other flower beds as well.
In addition to the praying mantises I have seen lots of robber flies, dragon flies, grass spiders, and a couple of Garden Weaver Spiders. (Below is a photo of one of the spiders.) Consequently, I have also seen a greater number of insect eating birds too.

Garden Weaver Spider in web:

What predators have you spotted in your gardens this year? Have you seen more than usual?

This post was edited by plantingman on Fri, Sep 5, 14 at 16:01